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Quantum survey reveals impact of Publicity Code to council communications

Quantum has just published a survey revealing the impact of the new government Publicity Code on local authority publicity budgets. The overriding response is that councils feel under pressure to reduce the number of publications and, as a result, fear that their messages will go unheard.

The survey results provide a state of the nation snapshot of the cost and effectiveness of council publications. The survey is intended to help councils compare the costs of their newspapers and magazines and asked councils for comments about the likely effect of the cuts.

110 councils responded to the survey. The most common response was that budget cuts to council communications would lead to a reduction in the number of yearly publications, and a weakening of community participation and council’s engagement with their constituents.

However, while some councils felt that newspapers represent good value for money, other respondents interpreted the changes as an opportunity to develop other communication methods, such as using social media.

The survey, which is the sixth of its kind, was conducted by Quantum PR supported by Alan Pickstock Associates and the Local Government Information Unit. The full survey can be found at www.quantumpr.co.uk/benchmarkingsurveyresults

Quantum is running two workshops,  entitled “Putting the Publicity Code into Practice” on 13th and 19th April 2011, to help local authorities consider the impact of the Publicity Code in light of current practices.